Refrigerator



O Ct. '5, A. E. NAVE REFRIGERATOR Filed July 10, 1940 ATTORNEY WVENTOR BY 094 /A44 Patented Oct. 5, 1943 2,330,988 REFRIGERATOR Alfred E. Nave, Newburgh, Ind., assignor to Servel, Inc., Delaware New York, N. Y., a corporation of Application July 10, 1940,Serial No. 344,709

1 Claim.

This invention relates to refrigerator cabinet wall structure having spaced metal panels connected by insulating strips and it is an object of the invention-to provide a trim or breaker strip shaped so as to be made by extrusion molding of a thermally insulating, non-hygroscopic plastic, and which is shaped to resist warping and provide concealed fastening means as set forth in the following description and accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a household refrigerator cabinet embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the trim strip shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the spring clip forming part of the fastening means in the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the trim strip of Fig. 2, showing the spring clip of Fig. 4 attached to said strip prior to the assembling of the strip in position on the refrigerator cabinet; and

Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and are views similar to that of Fig. 2 showing modifications also embodying the invention.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In Fig. 1, a refrigerator ll] of the hou ehold type. comprises a cabinet ll having a doorway l2 and a door l3. Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the cabinet ll comprises an outer metal panel l5 and an inner metal liner l6 separated by suitable insulation H. The outer panel I5 has a section I8 bent inward substantially at right angles to the main body section l9 thereof to form thefront face of the cabinet ll bordering the doorway I2, and terminates in an inturned rim flange 2| serving as a shoulder for a trim strip 22 as will be more fully described. The inner liner It has a curved section 23 also forming a shoulder for the trim strip 22. Adjoining this shoulder 23 is an outward rim flange 24 extending substantially parallel to the main flat body section 25 of said inner liner.

Between the spaced panels l5 and I6 adjacent the rim flanges 2| and 24 thereof is a spacing member 26 to which the panels are attached by suitable means as for instance nails 21.

Mounted between the panels l5 and I6 are the breaker or trim strips 22, made from suitable insulating, non-hygroscopic plastic material such as hard rubber or synthetic resin, each having a uniform cross-section throughout its length so that it can be made by the proces of extruding or ridges 30 having respective recesses or rabbets 3| on their outer facing corners to receive the ends of the'spring clips 29 as will be more fully described. Centrally between the two ribs 30 is a third rib 32 which has a depth less than that of the two side ribs 30 and which serves as a stop or backing support for the spring clips 29 in strip mounted position.

Each spring clip 29 comprises a spring metal plate of substantially rectangular shape having serrated edges 33 for firm engagement in the rabbets 3|. A nail prong 34, cut or stamped out from the main body of the clip 29, is bent out of the plane thereof and is pointed at its outer end for drive entry into the wooden spacer 26.

The spring clip 29 is preformed with a slight convex curvature with respect to its nail prong 34 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and is of a size to permit insertion thereof between the two ribs 30 with its serrated edges 33 in the rabbets 3| as shown in Fig. 5 prior to the mounting of the trim strip 22 in position. If desired, the spring clip 29 may be formed flat and bowed into strip gripping position shown in Fig. 5. With either form of construction, a series of spring clips 29 are first attached to the trim strip 22 in spaced relationship therealong with the body of these clips bowed away from the inner face of said strip. When the clips 29 have been so attached, the strip 22 is applied in the approximate position shown in Fig. 2 between the two panels [5 and I 6, and said strip hammered towards the member 26. This operation drives the nail prongs 34 into the frame 26 and at the same time snaps the clips 29 into slightly reverse curvature so they abut the center rib 32 as shown in Fig. 2. The center rib 32 is deep enough to prevent full reversal of curvature of the spring clips 29 from their original positions shown in Fig. 5 so that the serrated edges 33 of said clips dig firmly into engagement with the side ribs 30. With the clips 29 snapped into reverse curvature, continued hammering of the trim strip 22 will drive the nail prongs 34 into the wooden frame 26 until the trim strip 22 abuts the shoulder sections 2| and 23.

In order to provide clearance for the side ribs 36 in mounted position of the strip 22, the frame 26 has a suitable recess 35. The ribs 30 and 32 serve not only as a means for supporting the spring clips 23, but also serve as reinforcing members to prevent warpage of the strip.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the extruded plastic trim strip 220 has integral with its inner face a. central rib 46 of substantial width for holding a series of metallic fastening elements 4| in spaced relationship therealong. Each of these fastening elements 4| comprises a screw section 42 having its threads steep enough to permit said section to be hammer driven into the rib 40, a nail section 45 adapted to be driven into the wooden frame 26, and a collar 46 separating the two drive sections 42 and 45 and serving as a shoulder for engagement with the inner face of the rib 40. In order not to damage the point of each of the nail sections 45 during this drive operation, the drive screw section 42 may be driven into the rib 40 by hammering a sleeve encircling the nail section 45 and abutting the collar 46.

After the fastening elements 4| have been attached to the strip 220. as described, the strip is secured in position between the panels I5 and I6 by hammering said strip to drive the nail sections 45 of said elements into the frame 26 until the trim strip 22a abuts the shoulder panel sections 2| and 23.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the extruded plastic trim strip 222) ha integral with its inner face a, rib 56 to which is attached a series of metallic fastening elements 5| spaced therealong. Each of these fastening elements is in the form of a clip made of spring plate having a substantially flat section 52 secured to the inner face of the rib 50 by suitable means shown in the form of a screw 53. One side marginal section 54 of this clip extends beyond the rib 50, while the other side marginal section 55 also extends beyond said rib and terminates in an outwardly inclined flange 56. In order to latch the sides of the spring clips 5| in position, the rim flange 2th of the outer panel i5 extends inward beyond the adjacent side of the recess 35b, while the rim flange 24b of the inner liner extends outward beyond the adjacent side of said recess.

In assembling the trim strip 22b, a series of spring clips 5! are first attached in spaced relationship along the rib 50. The clip flanges 56 are then slipped under the inner side of the rim flange 24b, and the trim strip 221) pressed towards said rim flange. During this operation, the clip flanges 56 abutting the edge of the rim flange 24b are flexed until the edges of the marginal clip sections 54 clear the edge of the rim flange 2"). In this position, the trim strip 22b is moved inward to bring the marginal clip sections 54 to the inner side of the rim flange 2). The spring clips 5! under the spring action of their flanges 56 will snap into latch engagement with the rim flanges 2") and 24b with the sides of the strip 22b supported against the shoulder sections of the panels l5 and Hi.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8, the extruded plastic trim strip 220 has integral with its inner face a rib 60 of step-like formation with its side 6! extending at an angle with respect to the general plane of said strip, and its inner face 62 extending substantially at right angles to said side and substantially horizontal in oblique mounted position of the trim strip 22c.

Attached to the rib 66 is a series of metallic fastening elements 63 in the form of spring clips, each kinked to define adjoining angular sections 64 and 65, one of said sections 65 terminating in an inward flange 66, while the other section 64 is secured to the rib 60 by suitable means shown in the form of a screw 61, and extends at its marginal edge beyond said rib.

In order to latch the spring clips 63 in position, the rim flange Me of the outer panel l5 extends inward yond the adjacent side of the recess 350 in th xface of the frame 260, while the rim flange 240 of the inner liner l6 extends outwardly beyond the adjacent side of said recess.

In assembling the trim strip 220, a series of spring clips 63 are first attached in spaced relationship along the rib 60. The flanges 66 of these spring clips 63 are slipped over to the inner side of the rim flange 21c, and the strip 220 pressed towards said rim flange. During this operation, the clip sections 65 abutting the edge of the rim flange 2lc are flexed until the marginal edges of said clip sections 64 clear the edge of the rim flange 240. In this position, the trim strip 220 is moved inward to bring the marginal edges of the clip sections 64 to the inner side of the rim flange 240. The spring clips 63 under the spring action of their sections 65 snap into latch engagement with the rim flanges 2lc and 240 as shown, with the side sections of the trim strip 220 supported against the shoulder sections of the panels l5 and I6.

In the construction shown in Fig. 9 the liner l6 has its edge terminating in a rim flange H forming the outer side of the bulge or bead section 23d on said liner. The wooden-frame 26d has a section 12 abutting the rim flange 1| and secured thereto by any suitable means as for instance by the nails 13.

The extruded plastic trim strip 22d has a pair of parallel ribs 14 formed with outward extending ledges 15 serving as catches for latch engagement of metallic fastening elements 16. Each of these fastening elements 16 is in the form of a U-shaped spring clip having a flat base section l1 abutting the base of the recess 35d formed in the outer face of the frame 26d and secured thereto by any suitable means as for instance nails 18. The side arms of each spring clip 16 have inturned curved latch sections 1.9.

For assembling operation, a series of clips 16 are secured to the frame bar 26d in spaced relationship along the recess 35d, and the trim strip 22d is secured 'in position by merely pushing said strip inward towards the shoulder sections of the panels l5 and I6. During this assembling operation, the latch sections 19 of the spring arms are first pressed outward as they ride over the edges of the ledges I5, and then are snapped over said ledges after they clear said ledges.

In the construction shown in Fig. 10, the extruded plastic trim strip 22c has formed integral with its inner face a comparatively wide rib provided with a central recess 8|. A series of spaced plates 82 abut the face of the rib 80. Each of these plates 82 has a central section offset into the recess BI and secured to said rib by suitable means as for instance a screw 83, and side sections 84 extending beyond the corresponding sides of the rib 80. U-shaped spring clips 85, similar to the clips 16 shown in the construction of Fig. 9, and similarly flxed to the frame 26c, are disposed opposite respective plates 82. Each of these clips 65 is provided with side arms 86 converging away from the base section thereof and presenting inwardly curved sections 81 for riding engagement over the edges of a respective plate 82. These side arms 86 are latched over the projecting sides 84 of the plate 82 when the Strips 22s with a series of plates 82 attached thereto are pressed towards the spring clips 85.

Although the recess 8| in the rib 80 is not necessary, it is desirable in order that the heads of the screws 83 do not interfere with the mounting of the strip 22c in proper position.

In all of the constructions shown, the trim strip is made of extruded plastic material and is therefore of uniform cross-section throughout its length. This strip is formed with one or more ribs cooperating with metallic fastening elements for attachment of said strip between the panels of the refrigerator cabinet. These metallic fastening elements are entirely concealed by the trim strip, so that the ornamental appearance of the strip is enhanced. The rib or ribs on the inner face of the trim strip serve not only as a means for attachment of the fastening elements, but also serve to impart substantial rigidity to the strips against their tendency to warp.

Various changes may be made within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claim.

I claim:

A trim strip for use on a refrigerator cabinet wall, said strip being substantially flat and having a pair of substantially parallel spaced ribs on one face thereof, a third rib located between said pair of parallel ribs and being of lesser height than the height of said parallel ribs, and a substantially rectangular bowed fastening strip having a pointed prong substantially normal to the convex face thereof, said fastening strip being positioned in the channel between said parallel ribs so that the fastening strip when fiattened is wedged between said parallel ribs with the portion of said fastening strip opposite said prong bearing against said third rib.

ALFRED E. NAVE. 

